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December 2 Sheet

Iowa at Florida State (+3) - 6:00pm Pacific
There has been much more talent at Florida State in recent years (this season included) than most people realize. Individually, players have always shown flashes of ability but as a team FSU could never find any consistency under departed head coach Steve Robinson. Take last year for example, FSU lost at home to Western Carolina and American, but they also beat #1 Duke & #15 Virginia! The Seminoles bring in a big name coach to take over in Leonard Hamilton. He was dealt a tough hand in the NBA as coach of the Wizards, but he could not have done a better job rebuilding the Miami Hurricanes basketball program in the mid-late 90's.

Florida State loses four starters from last years team but that could be a good thing. An infusion of new blood was needed. They do return seven players who saw significant playing time last season. Junior forward Michael Joiner (all ACC rookie team as a freshman) and sophomore forward Anthony Richardson (McDonald's HS All-American) are two very talented players who give Hamilton something to build around. The center position is solid with two seniors, 6-11 Trevor Harvey & 6-10 Mike Mathews (ACC's leading returning shotblocker). Two highly touted JC transfers start in the backcourt. Nate Johnson at point guard & Tim Pickett at shooting guard. Both have looked solid in the early going, particularly Pickett who has an NBA type body and could end up being an all conference type of player here. Two sophomores, guard Andrew Wilson (redshirted last year, good shooter) and forward Adam Waleskowski (good rebounder) along with promising freshman PG Todd Galloway form a solid 9 man rotation.

We discussed Iowa's shortcomings a week ago when they visited Drake. They escaped that game with a one point victory, but it was not pretty. They scored just 50 points, only 19 in the second half, shooting .353 from the field for the game. Only seven players saw the floor. The bench may get a little deeper if center Sean Sonderleiter (2.2ppg last year) has his suspension lifted in time for today's game. His status is "?" as of this writing. This is still a team in a bit of disarray. Sophomore guard Pierre Pierce (starter last year) has not played and is still not with the team, he would be one of the teams better players this season. Junior Brady Boyd has played in last two games but was suspended for both exhibitions as well as season opener. It is hard for everyone to get in to a flow with all of the suspensions and off court distractions. Hawkeyes are starting a freshman at guard and another at forward. Iowa was 2-9 on the road last season. They barely survived road opener vs instate rival, but now will have to travel cross country, play in front of a national TV audience, and face a slightly higher quality opponent.

Seminoles badly needed a new direction and renewed optimism. I cannot think of a better fit than Leonard Hamilton. His teams get after you defensively and value the basketball on offense. This team has a nice blend of returning & new talent. They have shown nothing but positive signs in early season tuneups. Will be a fun team to watch and will surprise a few people this year. Seminoles are a very hungry team and this is a very big game for them. Take the points.

Florida State  1 UNIT

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